Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has claimed that Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been "very lucky" to escape criticism this season.
United are currently fourth in the Premier League but have the same number of points at this stage of the campaign this term as they had under David Moyes last year.
Carragher believes that United's lack of European football means that Van Gaal should be doing more with his squad, and the ex-defender is surprised that the Dutchman's performance hasn't come under more scrutiny.
He told the Daily Mail: "Lucky man, Louis van Gaal. Very lucky, in fact. At this point last season, the heat on David Moyes was being turned up mercilessly, so why is his successor escaping?
"Think about it: United have exactly the same points (37) from the same number of games (21); they have scored one goal fewer in the Barclays Premier League than the 35 Moyes's side had managed, even after spending more than £150m last summer.
"But it goes deeper than statistics. Moyes was preparing for a Capital One Cup semi-final against Sunderland and had the Champions League last 16 on his horizon; Van Gaal has had no Europe and overseen one of the most embarrassing defeats in United history. Yet the 4-0 drubbing they suffered at the hands of MK Dons in August was quickly forgotten and when United failed to have a shot on target against Southampton last weekend, again there was no major inquest."
Catch live commentary of United's trip to Queens Park Rangers here.
Paul Gorst
